# Worst 401(k) Providers by Pro Score
Source: https://planprovider.pro/worst-401k-providers

> Discover the lowest-rated 401(k) providers ranked by Pro Score, an AI-powered metric based on real customer reviews from across the web.

See which 401(k) providers have the lowest Pro Scores based on aggregated customer reviews across the web.

Browse 18 providers in this category.

## Provider ranking

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### [Empower](https://planprovider.pro/provider/empower)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.3

Greenwood Village, CO

**Stats:** 80,895 clients • $1.8T under management • 16.7M participants

**Company:** Est. 2014 • 6,000 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/empower)

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### [Voya Financial](https://planprovider.pro/provider/voya-financial)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.5

New York City, NY

**Stats:** 65,135 clients • $729.0B under management • 5 participants

**Company:** 9,000 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/voya-financial)

- 

### [Ascensus, LLC](https://planprovider.pro/provider/ascensus-llc)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.7

Dresher, PA

**Credentials:** Other

**Stats:** 147,067 clients • $315.0B under management • 3.8M participants

**Company:** Est. 1980 • 5,600 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/ascensus-llc)

- 

### [Corebridge Financial](https://planprovider.pro/provider/corebridge-financial)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.7

Houston, TX

**Stats:** 89,609 clients • $127.7B under management • 5.0M participants

**Company:** 2,000 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/corebridge-financial)

- 

### [Paychex](https://planprovider.pro/provider/paychex)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.8

Rochester, NY

**Stats:** 124,000 clients • $55.7B under management • 1.6M participants

**Company:** Est. 1971 • 15,000 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/paychex)

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### [The Vanguard Group, Inc.](https://planprovider.pro/provider/the-vanguard-group-inc)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.8

Malvern, PA

**Stats:** 1,400 clients • $523.0B under management

**Company:** Est. 1975 • 20,000 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/the-vanguard-group-inc)

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### [John Hancock](https://planprovider.pro/provider/john-hancock)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.9

Boston, MA

**Stats:** 54,358 clients • $253.0B under management • 200K participants

**Company:** Est. 1863 • 4,000 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/john-hancock)

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### [TIAA](https://planprovider.pro/provider/tiaa-teachers-insurance-and-annuity-association-of-america-college-retirement-equities-fund)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.9

New York, NY

**Stats:** $600.0B under management

**Company:** Est. 1918

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/tiaa-teachers-insurance-and-annuity-association-of-america-college-retirement-equities-fund)

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### [ADP Retirement Services](https://planprovider.pro/provider/adp-retirement-services)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.0

Roseland, NJ

**Credentials:** Other

**Stats:** 135,642 clients • $158.8B under management • 3.9M participants

**Pricing:** $325 base fee • $5/employee

**Company:** Est. 1949

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/adp-retirement-services)

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### [Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.](https://planprovider.pro/provider/charles-schwab-and-co-inc)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.1

Omaha, NE

**Stats:** 1,179 clients • $341.7B under management • 1.6M participants

**Company:** Est. 1971 • 4,200 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/charles-schwab-and-co-inc)

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### [Alight Solutions](https://planprovider.pro/provider/alight-solutions)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.4

Chicago, IL

**Stats:** 2,000 clients • $600.0B under management • 117.0M participants

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/alight-solutions)

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### [Fidelity Investments](https://planprovider.pro/provider/fidelity-investments)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.4

Boston, MA

**Stats:** 37,255 clients • $4.4T under management • 44.2M participants

**Pricing:** $100 base fee • $8.33/employee

**Company:** Est. 1949 • 50,000 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/fidelity-investments)

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### [Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company](https://planprovider.pro/provider/nationwide-mutual-insurance-company)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.4

Columbus, OH

**Stats:** 15,241 clients • $235.8B under management • 2.1M participants

**Company:** Est. 1926 • 24,000 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/nationwide-mutual-insurance-company)

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### [Principal Financial Group, Inc.](https://planprovider.pro/provider/principal-financial-group-inc)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.5

Des Moines, IA

**Stats:** 11,086 clients • $540.4B under management • 12.1M participants

**Company:** Est. 1879 • 20,000 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/principal-financial-group-inc)

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### [Transamerica](https://planprovider.pro/provider/transamerica)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.5

Cedar Rapids, IA

**Stats:** $416.0B under management

**Company:** Est. 1946

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/transamerica)

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### [Slavic401k](https://planprovider.pro/provider/slavic401k)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.8

Boca Raton, FL

**Stats:** 12,000 clients • $10M under management • 250K participants

**Company:** Est. 1986 • 270 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/slavic401k)

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### [Betterment at Work](https://planprovider.pro/provider/betterment-llc)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 3.0

New York, NY

**Stats:** 2,000 clients • $30M under management

**Pricing:** $100 base fee • $5/employee

**Company:** Est. 2009 • 466 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/betterment-llc)

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### [Carry](https://planprovider.pro/provider/carry)

Plan Administrator • Pro Score 3.0

**Credentials:** RIA - Registered Investment Advisor

**Pricing:** $299 base fee

**Company:** Est. 2022 • 10 employees

[View Profile](https://planprovider.pro/provider/carry)

## How to Identify and Avoid the Worst 401(k) Providers

Choosing the right retirement plan partner is critical for your company and your employees. Unfortunately, partnering with the worst 401(k) providers can lead to exorbitant hidden fees, ongoing compliance nightmares, and frustrated employees. At Plan Provider Pro, we are the best place to evaluate your current setup, avoid subpar vendors, and connect with industry-leading professionals who put your plan's success first.

### Red Flags of a Bad 401(k) Provider

If you are evaluating your current retirement plan, watch out for these common warning signs that you might be working with a bottom-tier provider:

- **Exorbitant or Hidden Fees:** High administrative costs and poor investment selections eat away at your employees' hard-earned retirement savings. Regularly performing [401(k) fee benchmarking](https://planprovider.pro/blog/401k-fee-benchmarking) is essential to ensure you aren't overpaying.

- **Poor Customer Service:** If your HR team or participants cannot get accurate, timely answers, it’s a clear sign of a failing provider. Quality [401(k) recordkeepers](https://planprovider.pro/401k-recordkeepers) prioritize responsive, dedicated support.

- **Lack of Compliance Support:** Failing to keep up with complex ERISA regulations can result in heavy fines. Subpar providers offer little to no help with non-discrimination testing, reporting, or audit preparation.

- **Outdated Technology:** A clunky user interface makes it difficult for participants to manage their accounts and access critical [401(k) participant education](https://planprovider.pro/blog/401k-participant-education).

### Ready to Make a Switch?

If your current vendor exhibits any of these red flags, it is time to take immediate action. Understanding the true [cost of a 401(k) to a business](https://planprovider.pro/blog/401-k-cost-a-business) can help you justify the move to a vastly superior platform. Upgrading your plan doesn't have to be an administrative headache. Read our comprehensive guide on [changing 401(k) recordkeepers](https://planprovider.pro/blog/changing-401k-recordkeepers) to learn how seamless and beneficial the transition process can be.

### Find Top-Rated Retirement Professionals Today

Don't let the worst 401(k) providers jeopardize your company's financial wellness benefits or expose you to fiduciary risk. Plan Provider Pro is the premier destination for identifying the [best 401(k) providers](https://planprovider.pro/best-401k-providers) in the industry. Whether you need a transparent recordkeeper, a specialized [401(k) plan advisor](https://planprovider.pro/plan-advisors/401k), or a dedicated auditor, our authoritative directory connects you with the exact expertise you need to optimize your retirement plan today.

[View full interactive listing on PlanProvider.Pro](https://planprovider.pro/worst-401k-providers)

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